Island



(No Model.) H. A. SHELDON.

STOPPING AND STEERING DEVICE FOR BOATS.

Patented Mar. 26, 1895 WITNESSES:

A Tran/v5 rs.

Is PETERS co. wurouma, wAsHmmoN a L U IT D STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY A. SHELDON, OF ARCADIA, RHODE ISLAND.

i STOPPING AND STEERING DEVICE FOR BOATS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letterslatent No. 536,236, dated March 26,1895.

Application filed April 9,1894. serial No. 506, 8 N ni d To all whom 'itmay concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY A. SHELDON, of Arcadia, in the county ofWashington and State of Rhode Island, have invented a new and usefulImproved Stopping and Steering controllable from the pilot house of thevessel, so as to afford convenient means for altering the adjustment ofthe wings as occasion may require. I To this end my invention consistsin the construction and combination of parts, as is hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

' Reference is to be had to-the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar figures and letters of referenceindicate corresponding parts in all the views shown. I

Figure 1 is a partly sectional plan view of the forward portion of avessels hull, the pilot house in section, and the improved stopping andsteering devices in position within and on the hull. Fig. 2 is asectional side view of the hull and pilot house of a vessel, with theimproved stopping and steering mechanism in part, within the hull, theline of section being indicated at 2-2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlargedsectional plan view, ofa portion of the side of a'vessel, a wing, inpart, in folded adjustment, a latching device for said wing, and otherattached parts that serve to cushion the wing and transmit motion to it.Fig, 4 is an enlarged inner side view of a portion of a vessels sidewall, a hinged and folded wing, a latching device for the latter, viewedopposite the arrow 4 in Figs. 1 and 3, slightly modified in form ascompared with the latching device shown in said figures. Fig. 5 is anenlarged sectional plan view of a portion of the side of a vessels hull,a hinged and folded wing located in a chamber on said side wall,spring-cushioning devices for the wing, and a steam-actuated motor inpart, connected with the wing, and Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional .planview of parts of the motor mechanism, on

theline 66 in Fig.2.

The features of improvement that are herein illustrated, may beadvantageously applied to sailing vessels or steam -boats for theircontrol, as will appear in the description.

The hull 10, shown in part in the drawings, may be of any preferredconstruction and built of any suitable materials, and as represented inFig. 1 there are two recesses or rectangular chambers 11, formed'in thesides of the hull at opposite points and a proper distance from the stemor how, the depth of these chambers that are open on the outer sidesbeing proportioned to the dimensions of the similar wings 12 that areloosely fitted in said chambers and hinged to the side of the vessel atone end of each chamber. As shown, the wings 12 each consist of arectangular plate corresponding in dimensions with the cavity it is tooccupy, and provided with a border flange that encompasses its fouredges,

depending therefrom of a proper breadth to suit the depth or the recessit enters, the

vto interlock with the perforated forward flanges of the wings, flexibleconnections 12 being extended from said latch bolts to the pilot house10 and means furnished for their movement, so that the operatorstationed in said house may, at a proper time, manipulate the latchingdevice for either or both wings and release the latter, which are bysaid latch bolts held. in folded adjustment, as represented clearly inFigs. 3, 4: and 5. 1

Within the hull 10, at a proper point, a bracket frame 18 made of anypreferred material is secured, this frame being erected on the bottomwall of the hull near the transverse center. Any style of constructionmay be utilized for the formation of the frame which is-available forits service, the platelike structure represented being one form that maybe given to the same.

At a correct height the similarly curved quadrantal cylinders 14 aresecured by one end of each on the frame 13, their opposite ends whichproject toward the sides of the vessel being respectively afiixed uponthe inner surfaces of the inner walls of the chambers 11.

Such proportionate and equal diameters are given to the quadrantalcylinders 14 as will adapt them for etficient service as main portionsofthe similar steam motors furnished for the swinging movement of thewings 12, and to the latter named parts the curved pistori rods 15 aresecured by one end of each, said rods having a proper degree ofcurvature to permit them to correctly traverse the centers of thecylinders,.their free ends being provided with piston heads, asindicated at 15, in Fig. 1, where one cylinder complete is shown insection to expose interior parts.

It is essential for the proper operation of the twin steam motors, thateach cylinder 14 be provided with two independent steam induction anddischarging devices, that may be separately adjusted to permit theintroduction and escape of steam to and from each cylinder at both ofits ends. To this end effective valve mechanism is indicated in thedrawings, which may be used for the designated purpose, or theseadjunctive features may be differently constructed if preference isgiven to other styles of valves and means to move the same. Asrepresented, the valves comprise sliding blocks that are incased inchests which are secured on the sides of the cylinders, said valvesbeing of ordinary form which is slightly altered at opposite ends of thecylinders, to adapt them for their locations, and render them effectivefor opening and closing the steam inlet and discharge ports atrespective ends of said cylinders, as are shown at 14 and 14" in Figs. 5and 6.

The style of valve block indicated at 14 in Fig. 6 is located at theends of the cylinders that are connected to the frame 13, and are eachprovided with conical plugs on the ends that are nearest to said frame,which plugs serve as valves to close exhaust passages 14 that are formedin the frame which is preferably utilized as a cylinder head for eachcylinder, said valves being also adapted to alternately cover the twoports 14, so as to admit steam from the steam chests into the cylinders,or cover the inlet ports and open the exit ports, the inlet port beingshown open in Fig. 6.

The valve blocks 14, that are at the opposite ends of the cylinders, areof the ordinary D-pattern, and are arranged to receive a correct slidingmovement on seats formed on the cylinders as are also provided for thevalves 14. The valves 14 and their containing chests are located at theends of the cylinders nearest to the chambers 11, and cover the ports14, said valves when properly adjusted being adapted to open asteaminletport of the pair in each cylinder wall, to induct steam behind thepiston heads when the wings 12 are fully extended, so as to close thelatter, or bya reverse movement of said valves locate them as shown inFig. 5, which will open communication with the exhaust steam pipes 1t.

The valve shifting mechanism provided to move the valves 14*, comprisesthe valve rods 1, pivoted bell cranks 2, links 3, contractile springs 4,that serve to draw the valves so as to open the inlet ports from thesteam chests into the cylinders, and the flexible connections 5, allsuitably supported as shown, the parts 5 being extended through thewalls of the pilot house 10, so as to be conveniently located formanipulation by the operator in said house.

A convenient valve moving mechanism for the valves 14: is represented inFigs. 1 and 2, comprising the valve rods 18, to which the valves areconnected by one end, their outer ends being pivoted to one end of thelinks 18, the other ends of the links which project toward the pilothouse 10 being pivoted on the lower ends of the upright vibratile levers18", which are sustained by proper projections from the vessels hull.The upper ends of the levers 18 are loosely secured to the outer ends ofthe pull bars 18, that are horizontally disposed, and slide throughperforations in the wall of the pilot house, so that a longitudinalmovement of said bars will correspondingly move the valves 14. to admitsteam into the cylinders or permit contained steam to escape from thelatter.

In case it is necessary, there may be a steam boiler 19, provided tosupply steam for the actuation of the motor mechanism that moves thewings 12, this being essential if the vessel is solely propelled bysails, the steam generator shown being of a common type, or any otherstyle may be used forsupplying steam.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the steam conduit pipes 19 that are clearly shown areextended from the boiler to connect with the valve chests ot' themotors, so that the operator located in the pilot house may at willproject the Wings 12 outwardly any desired degree, by a propermanipulation of the valve operating mechanism. If desired, steam can beadmitted on each side of the piston heads, at any desired point ofangular adjustment for the wings, so as to equalize pressure on saidheads from each end of the cylinder in use, or on both if the pair ofwings are in service, which will maintain the wing or wings partly orentirely extended, whereby the expert operator may arrest speed ofprogressive movement or turn the vessel in either direction desired.

In order to cushion the impact of the folding wings on the inner wallsof the chambers they enter, springs are preferably provided, which maybe in the form indicated in Figs. 1, 3 and 5, at20, and othersprings ofaspiral form are also furnished to absorb percussion induced by the fulloutward projection of the Wings 12. As the inward movement of the wings12 to fold them in the chambers 11, would confine a certain amount ofwater that would prevent a complete folding of thewings, provision ismade for the escape of the water thus inclosed, consisting of the setsof drain pipes 21, which tap the bottom of each chamber, and are joinedto a common discharge pipe 21, for each chamber, that projects throughthe hull and is supplied with a check valve 21 of the usual form whichwill open to release water forced through the drain pipes, and willprevent the introduction of water from without the hull into the discharge-pipes. 7

It isclaimed for this improved stopping and steering apparatus, that itis powerful, effective in operation, easily controlled, and that itaffords a valuable auxiliary device for steam or sailing vessels, thatmay be conjunctively used with a rudder for steering purposes, or in'case the latter is disabled be adapted for the reliable directivecontrol of a vessel having said improvement.

Having thus fully described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent- 7 l. The combination with the hull of a vesselprovided withAchambers in its sides, and wings hinged to the sides ofthe vessel to fold in said chambers, of curved cylinders within the hullof the vessel, pistons in the cylinders, curved piston rods connected tothe wings at or near their free outer ends, valves at each end of thecylinders for controlling the introduction and escape of a motor fluidto and from the cylinders and means for operating the valves from thepilot of the vessel, substantially as described.

2. The combination with the hull of a vessel recessed at opposite sidesnear the bow to form chambers, of wings provided with mar,- ginalflanges and hinged to the sides of the vessel to fold in the saidchambers, curved cylinders within the bullet the vessel, curved pistonrods connected to the wings at or near their free ends, valves at eachend of the cylinders for controlling the introduction and escape of amotor fluid to and from the cylinders, and means for operating the saidvalves from the pilot, substantially as described.

3. The combination with the hull of a vessel provided with chambers inits sides, of wings hinged to'fold in said chambers, latches for lockingthe wings closed, curved cylinders within the hull of the vessel,pistons in the cylinders, curved piston rods connected to the saidwings, valves at each end of the cylinders for admitting a motor fluidto the cylinders, and means for operating the valves from the pilot ofthe vessel, substantially as described.

4.. The combination, with the hull of a vesselhaving rectangularchambers oppositely located on its sides near the bow, and flanged wingsloosely fitting in said chambers and hinged at their rear ends to foldtherein or be extended at a right angle therefrom, of independent steammotors having quadrantal cylinders, curved piston rods connected to saidwings, heads on said piston rods, independent valve mechanism for eachcylinder at each end, valve shifting devices ex'tendedto the pilot houseof the vessel, and a source of steam supply for the motors,substantially as described. 7

5. The combination, with the hull of a vessel, chambers in the sides ofthe hull, and flanged vibratile wings fitting when closed in saidchambers, of water discharging pipes arranged to extend from the lowerwalls'of the chambers to a selected point of discharge, substantially asdescribed.

6. The combination, with the hull of a vessel, chambers in the sides ofthe hull, and vibratile wings fitting in saidchambers, of springs on thewings, adapted to cushion them when inwardly folded, a steam motor foreach wing, having cylinders and pistons, and spring cushions on thepistons arranged to cushion the impact of said pistons when the wingsare outwardly projected, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with the hull of a ves-

